Tuberc Respir Dis.  1990 Dec;37(4):372-379. 10.4046/trd.1990.37.4.372.

Association between Respiratory Symptoms and Specific IgE, IgG, and IgG₄ Antibodies to Reactive Dye (Black GR) in Dye-Exposed Workers

• KMID: 2528466
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1990.37.4.372

Abstract

Previous studies revealed that Black GR is known to be the most frequent sensitizer among reactive dyes. Positive skin test and the presence of serum specific IgE antibodies to reactive dyes in exposed workers suggested that their respiratory symptoms provoked by reactive dyes could be an IgE. mediated reaction. To evaluate the significance of specific IgE and IgG antibodies in the development of respiratory symptoms, we studied the prevalence of specific IgE antibody to Black GR.human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate by RAST and specific IgG and IgG₄ antibody to Black GR.HSA conjugate by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 309 workers employed in a dye industry. We also performed methacholine bronchial challenge test and dye-bronchoprovocation test in 78 symptomatic workers identified by the questionnaire. When the subjects were classified into three groups as follows: Group 1 includes asymptomatic sensitizers, Group II includes workers whose methacholine PC ₂₀ ranged from 5.0 to 25 mg/ ml and had serum specific IgE antibodies, and Group III includes workers who showed positive responses on Black GR-bronchoprovocation test and had serum specific antibodies, significant differences were found in skin reactivity to Black GR and Black GR-specific IgE level between Group 1 and II (p<0 .05), but no difference was found between Group II and IIl. There was no significant difference in total IgE level among the three groups. There was a significant difference in Black GR-specific IgG level between Group 1 and III (p < 0.05). N0 difference was found in atopy, smoking status and duration of exposure to dyes. It was suggested that reactive dye-specific IgE mediated reaction might be contributable to the development of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in reactive dye-exposed workers and specific IgG level might be associated with the results of dye-bronchoprovocation test.